Washington, D.C. >> Development of a casino by the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of the Chico Rancheria can move forward as a result of a U.S. district court ruling Friday.

A federal judge denied Butte County’s request to prevent the tribe’s casino near the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 149.

The legal battle between the tribe and county has lasted more than a decade.

Sandra Knight, tribe vice chairwoman, said all federal requirements have been met, but there aren’t too many details to report about the project itself. Development has been halted because of the litigation. The casino, which she said will be modest, less than 35,000 square-feet, currently has no developer.

“This was a hard journey for us. We’re just really thankful right now,” she said. “We’re going to pick up where we left off and try to move forward.”

Knight said the tribe is “very excited to work with the people of the region” to create something beneficial to everyone.

County Counsel Bruce Alpert said the Board of Supervisors will decide if it wants to appeal the district court’s decision on July 26.

Alpert said the flaws of the project have not changed. These include its location, which is not near any emergency services; a lack of water supply and sewer system; water quality and recharge issues; and traffic safety issues, he said.

“The county’s position is that this land does not qualify for fee-to-trust designation and should not qualify to have a casino placed on that land,” he said. “From an environmental standpoint, it’s a horrible place for a casino (and) it does not comply with our General Plan.”